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ETFE in architecture: What is it and how is it being used?
January 1st, 1970
By Edward M Peck, AIA, LEED AP ETFE is a copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene and is known as a “tough polymer.” It was pioneered by DuPont more than 40 years prior to its architectural debut in Europe in the early 1980s. DuPont developed the fluorocarbon-based polymer to have high corrosion and chemical resistance, structural […]
Ambiènte Gallerie: How it was done
January 1st, 1970
By Mason Riddle The fabric walls that enclose the individual treatment rooms at the Minneapolis chiropractic clinic and art gallery called Ambiènte Gallerie, can be raised to the ceiling when the space is opened for off-hours gallery events. Architect Ali Heshmati and fabricator Nora Norby devised a simple, but effective means of holding down the […]
Project specs: green grows the campus
January 1st, 1970
By Mason Riddle How it was done Project design team leader for RSP, Beau Dromiack, described the firm’s thinking behind their use of fabrics for shading key portions of the ASU campus buildings: “For the most prominent building of a trio of academic buildings, the highest balcony of the tallest building has a wall of […]
Up and coming: Power felt
January 1st, 1970
By Michael Lotti What it is Nonwoven, washable cloth that continuously generates an electric current. How it works The thermoelectric effect, which is the tendency of charged particles to move from warm to cold parts of metals, ceramics, fibers, and other materials. Possible applications “This fabric continuously generates small amounts of electricity, so it’s ideal […]
Up and coming: Hybrid piezoelectric photovoltaics
January 1st, 1970
By Michael Lotti What it is Nylon fibers or ribbons with a thin, flexible photovoltaic film coating over polyvinylidene fluoride and ceramic piezoelectric materials. Professor Elias Siores, director of Research and Innovation at the University of Bolton in the U.K., developed the patented material with his research team. How it works Any movement stimulates the […]
Designing entrances
January 1st, 1970
By Bruce N. Wright, AIA There are many types of entryways, depending on the essential function they need to fulfill. Prime, of course, is the need to shelter people from the sun and weather as they enter and exit a building. Other important types might be dramatic (such as this colorful tensioned fabric entryway covering […]
Critical performance factors
January 1st, 1970
By Mark Zeh Here are a few performance factors critical for creating a great shaded area on a hot day: Shade Factor (SF): This is the percentage of visible light which a shade fabric blocks. Higher values mean darker shade areas. Solar Reflection Index (SRI): This is the average amount of energy from the complete […]
Rigging checklist
January 1st, 1970
By Bruce N. Wright, AIA Pattons, the Australian event structures fabricator, has more than 60 years of experience creating transportable performance venues. Here is the company’s checklist of considerations when designing a portable structure: Performance structures need to be engineered to withstand the extreme weather conditions in Australia. Structures need to be lightweight — usually […]
A checklist for portables
January 1st, 1970
By Bruce N. Wright, AIA At minimum, when designing for portability in a fabric structure, architects and designers should keep in mind a number of basic concepts and key questions. “Concerning portable structures,” says Nicholas Goldsmith, FAIA, LEED AP, senior design principal with FTL Design Engineering Studio, “one has to ask how long the portable […]
ETFE’s environmental benefits
January 1st, 1970
By Frank Edgerton Martin Architects Luisa Badía and Néstor Soldate explain that because of its light weight, ETFE has lower embedded energy costs in shipment and installation. The Vitam’Parc project meets French HQE (High Environmental Quality) objectives by reducing the visual impact on the landscape through the organic “freedom of form” afforded by ETFE. The […]